A-LIST selected to join NTEP Policy Committee

The Alliance for Low Input Sustainable Turf (A-LIST) has been selected to join the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program Policy Committee. The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) serves a fundamental role in the turfgrass industry. As a part of a not-for-profit organization, NTEP uniquely links the public and private sectors of the turfgrass industry through their common goals of turfgrass development, improvement and evaluation. The NTEP Policy Committee consists of members from both the public and private sectors of the turfgrass industry and meets multiple times a year to facilitate coordination of efforts.

The invitation to join the Policy Committee illustrates NTEP’s commitment to promoting sustainable varieties by engaging with industry partners. The A-LIST and its members have long supported NTEP and this new channel will allow the A-LIST to refine messaging and research to align more closely with NTEP’s national strategy. Currently, a component of the A-LIST’s approval protocol, NTEP data is used to establish turf quality minimums and is integral to identifying varieties that require fewer inputs to maintain acceptable turf quality. The A-LIST has consistently promoted the use of NTEP as an independent testing ground and requires varieties in its own trials to concurrently be placed in NTEP trials as well. “We are very excited to be part of this influential group and look forward to playing a larger role in the national effort to promote sustainability in turfgrass,” said Jeremy Husen, Executive Director of the A-LIST. “We believe the future of turfgrass requires all entities promoting sustainability to be on the same page and it makes sense that NTEP serve as the group to bring all those voices to the table.”

Kevin Morris, Executive Director of NTEP said, “We are really excited to welcome the A-LIST to the NTEP Policy Committee.   With turf removal programs becoming more and more popular, and the perception of turf being water wasting and unsustainable in some circles, the turf industry needs to unite in developing and marketing low-water using, low input and more sustainable turfgrasses. A-LIST members are a leader in that effort and will add to the broad representation of industry on our committee, which includes land-grant universities, USGA, GCSAA, American Seed Trade Association, Oregon and Pacific Seed Associations and Turfgrass Producers International.”